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After being named the World Athlete of the Year in the men’s out-of-stadia this season, Kelvin Kiptum has revealed his Kenyan role model.

Kiptum was majorly propelled to the global podium by his achievement in the marathon in Chicago, where he ran in less than 2:01:00.

Now, the world record holder has revealed that Geoffrey Kamworor, whom he defeated in the London Marathon this year, is his role model.

Kamworor is an established runner, having won three world half-marathon titles as well as one world U20 cross-country title and two senior versions.

“Geoffrey is a friend of mine. We grew up together. We were training with Geoffrey the year he won his world junior title in cross country.

“He was a role model to me,” Kiptum told World Athletics.

This year, Kiptum has registered impressive results all through, and it started in Valencia, where he became only the third man to break two hours and two minutes as he clocked 2:01:53, the fastest marathon debut time.

Only Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, who had recorded 2:01:41, had run faster. In London, Kiptum triumphed after running in 2:01:25, which is the second fastest time ever behind Kipchoge’s world record.

Kiptum’s Chicago milestone

Then, finally, he ran in Chicago and obliterated Kipchoge’s record by taking 34 seconds off the then-world record.

“Going for my marathon debut in Valencia, I was prepared. I was ready for any results. My target there was to run 2:04 or 2:03 because I was in good shape. I found myself running at 2:01.

“I then trained for four months before this year’s London Marathon, and then I had a month-and-a-half’s break before preparations began for Chicago.

“I ran 2:01:25 in London, and I was very satisfied with that time,” he added.

Kiptum also spoke about his Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana and why he chose to work with him

“I began training with Gervais when I was still at school, when I was 14. He was training alone in my village. That’s why I went to him after school to begin training. And I was able to get to a really good level.

“I was a herdsman, yes, for many years. It was my life, as it was for a lot of others. But I had to find time for my running,” he added.

Ahead of Kiptum lies the Rotterdam Marathon and eventually a possible duty at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“It will give me time to prepare for the Paris Olympics. After Rotterdam, I will go to the Olympics.

“If I am selected for the Olympics, I think you have to go there as a team to help each other and then see the results,” the record breaker said.